Pac 12 Northwest teams’ 2014 BCS gambling odds

NW BCS odds

The Pac-12 is known for its athletic, exciting brand of football, but the question is, what are the odds that a team from the great Northwest can claim the BCS title?

Bovada.lv has posted its odds for the BCS National Championship, and three teams from the Northwest have made the list. The Washington State Cougars were not-so-surprisingly left off—sorry, Mike Leach.

Which of the three programs can make a legitimate run is up for debate, but if you’re a fan of college football in the Northwest, recognition is always welcomed.

Washington Huskies: 100/1

UO and UW have both been recognized in the chase for the BCS title. (Photo: Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian)

The Washington Huskies have been given 100/1 odds at winning the BCS National Championship. That puts them on the same level as prestigious programs such as Rutgers and Michigan State.

If the Huskies are going to make a run at any sort of title—Pac-12 or BCS—it’s going to start with quarterback Keith Price. Unfortunately for the team, if it begins with Keith Price, that means it starts with the blocking up front.

Price underachieved last season, but his performance had more to do with his offensive line. When he’s given the time to make plays, his talent is put on full display. However, when he’s rushed into quick decision making, that’s when his inconsistencies come to surface.

Washington has returning offensive linemen in 2013, which will either re-create the same issues or allow them to jell as a unit. If the latter takes place, we’ll see a whole new team—one that has a chance to compete with most teams in the Pac-12.

Oregon State Beavers: 100/1

Like the Huskies, Mike Riley’s Oregon State Beavers have been given 100/1 odds to win a BCS title. This team surprised everyone in 2012, and it will look to do the same again in 2013.

The Beavers weren’t on most people’s radars last year, but a shocking 6-0 start quickly changed that. They were winning games with their defense, which proved to be a theme throughout much of the year.

In 2013, the Beavers have to choose one quarterback. They switched back and forth between Sean Mannionand Cody Vaz, and while both showed they can lead the team, continuity is an important concept for any championship team.

Oregon State lost its bowl game to the Texas Longhorns, but falling 31-27 shouldn’t eliminate it as a solid group to compete in the Pac-12. The team is on a mission to prove that 2012 wasn’t a fluke, and making a run at a title would do just that.

Oregon Ducks: 13/2

The Oregon Ducks have been given the best chance of any NW team to win the BCS championship. Taking it one step further, they’ve been declared a top-2 team in the entire country—second only to the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Led by tailback De’Anthony Thomasand quarterback Marcus Mariota, the Ducks have the speed and athleticism to compete with anybody. They showed in 2012 that they also have the football IQ to make adjustments, which is going to be crucial in championship run.

If Oregon has anything going against it at this point, it’s the departure of Chip Kelly. The head coach ran one of the most innovative offenses in all of college football, and it will be interesting to see how newcomer Mark Helfrich incorporates his style with Kelly’s system.

When it comes down to it, the Ducks should be just fine in their race for a title. Whether or not 13/2 odds are too high has yet to be seen, but if we’ve learned one thing in recent years, it’s that expectations are extremely high in Eugene.